Chocolate intake positively linked with cognitive function

The sort of headline chocolate lovers like to see

Consuming chocolate was positively associated with cognitive performance on a series of tests performed by participants in the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS), according to a study published in Appetite.

Although chocolate and cocoa flavanols have been associated with improved health and cardiovascular benefits, less is known about the effects of chocolate on neurocognition and behaviour. This study aimed to investigate whether chocolate intake was associated with cognitive function, with adjustment for cardiovascular, lifestyle, and dietary factors.

Cross-sectional analyses were undertaken on 968 community-dwelling participants, aged 23–98 years, and cognitive performance was measured with an extensive battery of neuropsychological tests. More frequent chocolate consumption was significantly associated with better performance on the Global Composite score, Visual-Spatial Memory and Organisation, Working Memory, Scanning and Tracking, Abstract Reasoning, and the Mini-Mental State Examination, according to the researchers.

The researchers say that further intervention trials and longitudinal studies are needed to explore relations between chocolate, cocoa flavanols, and cognition, and the underlying causal mechanisms.

Chocolate manufacturers buy sustainable and ‘socially aware’ cocoa

Major chocolate manufacturers in New Zealand and Australia have committed themselves to using sustainably sourced cocoa in their locally produced products, putting them at the forefront of assisting world cocoa growers.

Mondelez (Cadbury), Nestlé, Mars, Ferrero, Haigh’s, Lindt and others – have committed to using cocoa that will give long-term sustainability to the cocoa growing industry, as well as protecting children from the worst forms of child labour and human trafficking .

The commitment by companies varies in timing to reach fully sustainably sourced cocoa, but it is one that all major manufacturers have publicly made. This will include locally produced chocolate provided for Easter products.

Industry is collaborating with Government, NGOs, communities and families to accelerate our collective efforts to achieve reductions in child labour.

Chocolate consumption is growing around the world and the very best position is for a more efficient and prosperous cocoa growing sector in all nations, especially those in Africa.

UK tax on companies producing sugary beverages

According to CNN, the UK government announced a new tax on sugary drinks in an attempt to tackle childhood obesity.

Presenting the UK Budget in the house, chancellor of the exchequer, George Osborne said, “Five year old children are consuming their body weight in sugar every year. Experts predict that within a generation, over half of all boys, and 70% of girls could be overweight or obese...Obesity drives disease. It increases the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease – and it costs our economy £27 billion a year; that’s more than half the entire NHS paybill.”

Drinks with a total sugar content above 5g per 100 mL will be affected by the levy, with a higher rate for drinks with more than 8g. The government is hoping the tax will help cut down childhood obesity rates in the United Kingdom, which are amongst the highest in developed world—one in five English children is obese by the time they leave primary school.

Considering that milk-based drinks and fruit juices deliver significant quantities of sugar, it is interesting that they have been excluded from the tax. The tax will be imposed on “large” beverage producers who “may or may not pass on the costs to consumers”.

The government expects the tax to bring in £520 million ($732 million) in the first year and has stated that the money will be used to fund more sports in schools.

The tax will come into effect in April 2018, giving the industry time to adjust and change their formulas to reduce the amount of sugar in their drinks.

It appears that the tax aims to force beverage producers to reduce the sugar in beverages, rather than provide a price difference that will inhibit purchase.

Domino’s Australia trialling a prototype robot for pizza deliveries

Domino’s latest “deliveryman” stands 3 feet tall and doesn’t need to be tipped. It has ferried pizzas in Brisbane at a top speed of 12 mph.

Domino’s has started using a robotic cart named DRU, which stands for Domino’s Robotic Unit for home deliveries. The prototype was developed with an Australian start-up, Marathon Robotics.

The DRU (pronounced Drew) drives on bike paths and sidewalks to find the most efficient, fastest route. It is not being used on roadways, and legal approval is a hurdle. Domino’s will work with government to change regulations. The Australian master franchisee for Domino’s, which has stores in six other countries, has already discussed its robotic deliveryman with the New Zealand government.

People were willing to walk out of their home, meet DRU on the sidewalk and engage with it. DRU has a compartment that pops open, capable of holding what Domino’s describes as an average order of pizza, sides and drinks. DRU is powered by an electric motor that lasts for 12 miles. DRU sends a text message to alert customers when it has arrived.